Dave Doeren to remain as NC State head coach

Coach had lucrative offer from Tennessee

North Carolina State Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren (center) leads his team onto the field prior to a game against the Boston College Eagles at Carter Finley Stadium.

After a dramatic 24 hours, Dave Doeren turned down an offer from the University of Tennessee and will remain at NC State.

Multiple national and area media sources reported on the progress of the roller coaster negotiations. Tennessee, who fired Butch Jones after a winless SEC season, had approached Duke coach David Cutcliffe, Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy and Purdue coach Jeff Brohm, getting turned down by each.

On Wednesday, after Brohm declined the offer, Tennessee turned its attention to Doeren. The two sides were reported to be close to a deal late last night, at which point NC State made a counter-offer to attempt to keep the head coach in Raleigh.

With long-term offers rumored to be in excess of $3 million a year from each school, Doeren weighed his options and made his decision early Thursday afternoon.

Tennessee fans, who revolted on social media last week, derailing a possible hire of Greg Schiano, reacted negatively toward the selection of Doeren as well, tweeting to him personally that they wanted him to turn down the offer.

ABC 11 reported that players at NC State’s Murphy Football Center received a text from Doeren informing them that he was staying at the school he’s coached since 2012. “We’re going to run this,” he texted.

Doeren’s deal with State reportedly is for five years and more than $15 million, including a large increase for his assistant coaches.

The Tennessee search may still impact North Carolina schools, as Wake Forest head coach Dave Clawson, considered a dark horse candidate early in the process, may become a target for the Vols.

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